It’s important to clarify that Warrantywise isn’t an insurance company and therefore isn’t regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). This means we’re not bound to keep funds in a separate client account, as FCA-regulated companies do. This also means you wouldn’t have protection from the FCA or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if anything were to happen to Warrantywise. What it does mean, however, is that we can exercise discretion to extend cover to include repairs in the “grey area” by appointing an independent arbiter who ensures the consumer is protected and that any dispute is resolved in a fair and un-biased manner.
We have a history as a Lloyd’s Cover holder, which significantly shaped how we operate today, and we’ve stuck to many of the trade practices instilled by Lloyd’s of London. Although our approach may differ from the traditional ring-fencing used by Lloyd’s of London, it serves the same purpose – to protect our customers warranties from potential business challenges. While our funds aren’t separated from our day-to-day trading assets as the FCA would impose, we manage them carefully to ensure they’re protected and available for warranty claims.
Instead of relying on traditional ring-fencing, we use strong financial planning and asset management. Specifically, we keep substantial funds in a Client Reserve Account with NatWest, our banking partner since the beginning.
Our commitment to our customers is steadfast and our history since 2000 reflects our consistent commitment to fulfilling obligations to our clients.
How we operate.
As one of the UK's leading extended car warranty providers, you can rest assured you're getting the best, and most comprehensive cover possible – regardless of the make, model and mileage of your vehicle.
How are we different?
Warrantywise function in a unique way designed to benefit you.
How we operate our service and maintenance plans
Warrantywise take a proactive approach to the whole process of servicing, maintaining, and repairing your vehicle. As part of our service, we carry out several checks such as: DVSA MOT, DVLA Service History and valuation all to make sure your car is eligible from the start of your plan. We do this to ensure everything goes smoothly without any issues along the way. In addition, we provide servicing and maintenance facilities at preferential rates to ensure that you maintain your vehicle as reliably as possible, then, if and when a fault occurs, we can repair the problem quickly and efficiently.
Lower cost base = Better value for money
As a service provider Warrantywise operate as a VAT registered entity. This is a very important attribute in managing our operating costs, enabling us to reclaim the VAT on our overheads and on all service, maintenance and repair bills undertaken under contract to you within your plan. Warranty companies that operate on an insured basis are either owned or contracted to an insurance company must pay at least 15% of your money to their parent insurer as commission and 20% Insurance Premium Tax (IPT), which cannot be reclaimed. Also, they are not permitted to reclaim any of the VAT on their overheads or repair payments and must pass this cost onto you. If you do the maths this all adds up to 40% of costs which is passed onto you within your premium. Warrantywise can use this to add value to the cover it provides its customers.
Insured v Independent
Warrantywise is a self-funded fully independent business. It operates the same underwriting model as required by Lloyd’s of London thus pooling all payments into a segregated client transfer account. This account is set up with senior management at NatWest and managed by professional underwriting managers to ensure there are always sufficient contingency funds to meet all current and future repair liabilities.
Secure business model
Warrantywise is a secure business and the owners of Warrantywise are financially independent. The senior partners have operated within the warranty marketplace for almost 30 years and are Fellows of the Institute of the Motor Industry. The business is operated on Prudential lines utilising owner reserves of capital but importantly, without the need for shareholders, bank loans or overdrafts.
Discretion
An important aspect in the design of our plan is to include and insist that we control the business and to this end we, both contractually and legally, operate on a completely discretionary basis. We use this discretion to ensure that, as our customer, you receive a fair and equitable resolution to each request you make. We believe we use our discretion wisely and only in the interests of our customers. This protects us against fraud and enables us to extend the level of service to deal with any given situation. As the official arbiter master mechanic Edd China will offer an unbiased view of any client dispute. He will have the final say (discretion) over repairs and if he thinks the customer is right, he can overturn Warrantywise’s decision.
What if I have a complaint?
Warrantywise take complaints very seriously. Any complaint is thoroughly investigated in the first instance by our Customer Relations Manager if the situation isn’t resolved it is escalated to the CEO, Lawrence Whittaker.
You still have your statutory rights of complaint such as contacting Citizens Advice, Trading Standards or County Court. This is a Service and Maintenance Warranty Plan, and the final discretion is held by independent arbiter Edd China.rnWarrantywise aim to offer a unique and customer focussed approach to warranties, designed to benefit our customers.
Contact details
Customer Relations Manager: declan@warrantywise.co.uk, Lawrence Whittaker (CEO): lawrence@warrantywise.co.uk, Edd China (Arbiter): edd.china@warrantywise.co.uk